Various community service opportunities available for local students

MRT

Published 4:15 am, Tuesday, February 5, 2013

By Kyle Logan

As the spring semester commences and graduation day for the class of 2013 approaches, many local high school seniors have been tasked with the challenge of completing their community service hours for various programs in a timely manner. Between such organizations like National Honor Society and Texas Scholars, high school students are in need for an abundance of community service hours. Luckily for the students, many organizations offer opportunities to earn these community service hours.

Among the many nonprofit and charitable organizations that offer hours to students, there are a few organizations that will not only allow the student to earn community service hours, but at the same time, appeal to their interests and provide them with a very rewarding experience.

The first of these organizations that students should consider is the Young Life Capernaum program. Many local teenagers already attend regular Young Life clubs, and may already be familiar with the mission of the Capernaum program. The goal of Capernaum is to offer those with special needs an opportunity to attend a Young Life club that is geared toward their own level of social development. Several students from both Midland High and Lee help out frequently at Capernaum, and many of them feel as if the experience is one of the most rewarding programs someone could come away with.

"Capernaum is rewarding because you get to interact with community members who are often discriminated against because they're seen as different," Raul Corrales, a Midland High School senior, said. "It's great to be able to play games, celebrate holidays, and just sit down and talk to them, all while teaching them about Christ."

Shane Christopher, the Midland Young Life leader, started the Capernaum program in Midland more than 12 years ago, and is always looking for more help with the club.

"Students are always welcome to volunteer their time and serve as Buddies for our special needs friends," Shane said. "Young Life Capernaum has events twice a month and is open to all members of the public to help out."

Another opportunity that offers teenagers a rewarding experience is volunteering at the local branch of the ASPCA or other various animal shelters. An emotional experience overall, helping out at animal shelters can turn out to be an equally rewarding experience as the aforementioned opportunity, while lacking the religious influence some may be uncomfortable with. The Lone Star Sanctuary for Animals is a local animal shelter that offers classes for at-risk youth and is always offering community service hours for students.

"Our dog trainer, Jane Severud, has started various classes for many different groups such as at-risk youth," Beth Clodfelter, the shelter manager said. "We are always looking for help and do offer community service hours for local teens."

Another community service opportunity for students is the Museum of the Southwest. Being a relatively large museum with various subject matters, the Museum of the Southwest is in need of help from several local teens.

"The Museum of the Southwest relies on volunteers for a variety of needs; they are a valuable resource for any nonprofit organization," Kristen Wagstrom, the museum's curator of education said. "We are a Legacy organization, therefore we work closely with students earning community service hours for Midland College. We also welcome any teens looking to get involved with their community by helping in the Children's Museum or Art Museum during special events."

For any additional information on any of these opportunities, contact the following organization members: